OK Dilema with a speed light

[dullbird]

Ok so I now have enough money for my speedlight.....

I was going to go the whole way and by a SB-900

but now i'm not sure, as all the equiptment I want to buy I'm wanting to buy should I ever upgrade the body in the future..


So here is my dilema......the SB-900 is the newest release to replace the 800 I believe, but although the 900 does work on the D80 you cant upgrade its firmware and it already has a firmware release:(

I have also read that it is considerable bigger so wondernig whether having such a flash unit on the top and say my 70-200 on would be to much for the D80 body as its not as heavy as a D200

SB900
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/72.jpg
.................................................. .................................................s b800

thoughts??

there is only about 100bux difference in them....so I'm not sure what to do
the 800 will suit my purposes I believe but the 900 can send flash an extra 100mm over the 800

[discomuzz]

A quick SWOT analysis might be the go.

I would go the lighter weight.

100mm diff. in throw is negligible.

[dullbird]

you can also do light patterns with the 900 i forgot to say that as well, infact the 900 is far superior from what I have read, but superior is of no use if you need an important firmware upgrade that you cant do I suppose

[discomuzz]

you can also do light patterns with the 900 i forgot to say that as well, infact the 900 is far superior from what I have read, but superior is of no use if you need an important firmware upgrade that you cant do I suppose

Camera or flash FW?

I am confused. Why can't you upgrade?

[dullbird]

flash you can set light patterns on......

and when on the D80 you cant upgrade the firmware on the flasah unit thats my understanding

[discomuzz]

Gotcha!

Well, I guess for the extra 100 bucks you may as well go the whole hog.

Got any links to the type of patterns your talking about?

[discomuzz]

Scrap that. Just Googled it.

Now I know what you mean.

Go for it!

[dmdigital]

Lou, I'd go the SB-900 I have two SB-800s and they are brilliant:D The other option would be to look for an SB-800 as they are well and truly old stock now and should be cheap as the SB-600.

The SB-600 is due a refresh. If I needed a third flash I'd be getting the SB-900.

One thing to note DON'T BUY A SECOND HAND OR DEMO FLASH. Flash units have a finite life and this has no reflection on the units appearance, it may look like new, but how many times it has been fired of and at what intensity and with what batteries.

For batteries, get 2700mA rechargeable ones, uses the 5 batteries so buy 10. This is a good vendor Servaas Products (http://www.servaas.com.au/) he's cheap and very knowledgeable.

[EchiDna]

...This is a good vendor Servaas Products (http://www.servaas.com.au/) he's cheap and very knowledgeable.

*cough* :o CHEAP! umm sorry can't agree with you there...

Maha PowerEx Batteries and Chargers (http://www.eastgear.com/store/maha-powerex-c-56.html)

I buy mine here and the webpage price is about 30% higher than what you pay in the shop or if you call to order.

[dmdigital]

*cough* :o CHEAP! umm sorry can't agree with you there...

Maha PowerEx Batteries and Chargers (http://www.eastgear.com/store/maha-powerex-c-56.html)

I buy mine here and the webpage price is about 30% higher than what you pay in the shop or if you call to order.

Hmmm varying differences both ways in prices between the sites. Don't think either is the cheapest overall:confused:

[dullbird]

Lou, I'd go the SB-900 I have two SB-800s and they are brilliant:D
The other option would be to look for an SB-800 as they are well and truly old stock now and should be cheap as the SB-600.

The SB-600 is due a refresh. If I needed a third flash I'd be getting the SB-900.


One thing to note DON'T BUY A SECOND HAND OR DEMO FLASH. Flash units have a finite life and this has no reflection on the units appearance, it may look like new, but how many times it has been fired of and at what intensity and with what batteries.

For batteries, get 2700mA rechargeable ones, uses the 5 batteries so buy 10. This is a good vendor Servaas Products (http://www.servaas.com.au/) he's cheap and very knowledgeable.


there is only $100 dollars difference between buying an 900 over an 800 they are not that cheap yet! and I have no intention of buying second hand that is why it has taken me a wilhe to save money the SB-900 i'm looking at about $650 the SB-800 i'm looking at about $540

So people are thinking get the 900 even though it is very much bigger and I can't update the firmware?

[dmdigital]

Why do you need to update the firmware?

[dullbird]

Why do you need to update the firmware?

well apparently there is already a firware release to tell it thats its not over heating when it thinks it is, as it has a thermo shut down...

but its like any firmware is done to give more features generally

[dmdigital]

OK I just answered that myself firmware update is via camera and only on the latest DSLR's :mad:

Did you know you can get almost all the Nikon manuals etc from Nikon KDB (http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/)

I'd suggest the SB-800 as the best option then. Its more than advanced enough for the D80, has a good guide number, quick recycle time etc. Friends got one for his D50 and he loves it - I think its great because when I've needed 3 flash guns I can borrow his:D

The SB-900 is really for the newest bodies. Also consider an SC-28 or SC-29 cable.

[dullbird]

OK I just answered that myself firmware update is via camera and only on the latest DSLR's :mad:

Did you know you can get almost all the Nikon manuals etc from Nikon KDB (http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/)

I'd suggest the SB-800 as the best option then. Its more than advanced enough for the D80, has a good guide number, quick recycle time etc. Friends got one for his D50 and he loves it - I think its great because when I've needed 3 flash guns I can borrow his:D

The SB-900 is really for the newest bodies. Also consider an SC-28 or SC-29 cable.

cable? is that so you can have the flash gun off the camera?..if so why not wireless

[dmdigital]

cable? is that so you can have the flash gun off the camera?..if so why not wireless

Most of the time wireless is the way to go. There are times though where you want the flash near the camera and don't want it wireless. For example macro or birds where having the flash forward on the lens with a mount on the lens foot improves things (macro also helps to have a softbox over the flash but that's for another day). Also for having the flash mounted higher than the prism or to the side of the camera helps e.g. when taking in portrait and you want the flash vertical.

Not something to rush out and get though, kind of thing to pick up duty free on a trip.

[dullbird]

what was the battery pack you had on your 800 derek you said it enabled quicker cycling time if I remember right.......

[Xavie]

http://www.cameras.net.au/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=83

Price any better?

the guys are good. Bit neurotic at times but they are quite customer focussed.

[dullbird]

yeh that is a good price xavie.....but I have decided that i'm going to get the 800 and they dont do it :( but on an up note I got paid more than i thought from work...which means by me buying the 800 I think i might just be able to scrap enough together to buy the manfrotto 055xprob tripod with a 3way head on it too :)

and before anyone says the pan head will also be for video camera too so I might look at getting a good ball head in the future but at the moment I need a head that will do both

[dmdigital]

ECS as mentioned are good, got my D200 through them. DigitalCamerawharehouse.com.au and d-d-photographics.com.au are also OK as is Photo Continental in Brisbane.

Also consider B&H Photo Video in NY, the freight can kill things (as can the exchange rate) but they have the SB-800 listed for US$319.

[matbor]

I have the SB800, haven't used it on camera at all !! always use remotely !! Don't know if you will be able to get a SB800 anymore new as they have been discontinued, anyless someone has run out stock.

The other option is to buy a SB-26/28 and a wireless trigger and shoot in manual mode all the time :)

Good website/blog to follow, he is amazing... Strobist (http://www.strobist.com)

Matt.

[dullbird]

there's plenty around just would prefer to buy in oz rather than hong kong...if need be I will buy from the states.

i shoot a lot in manual anyway but would prefer not to go that route. i have had the pleasure of using the 800 thanks to derek it is a nice size and easy to use

[dullbird]

ok so I have brought one....through cameras direct they were the best price. and everyone offering a price under 700 was pretty much warrenty through them as they are I would imagine a grey improter......still it was buy here through a company that had an australian office for under 550 or buy here through a big chain such as camera warehouse for around 700/750 and have a nikon warrenty..........or buy from the US or HK and have well no warrenty.

$538 for the 800 plus I brought some better AA batteries with a charger as well
so all up it was just a smidge over $600 including the postage.

I hope I have made the right choice:(

[dmdigital]

Did you buy 5 or 10 batteries? You'll need 5 in the flash, 4 is not anywhere near the same cycle time

[dullbird]

I think its 4.....I had no idea how many batteries it took I juct choose them from the add accessories on a drop down menu....


I asked you about your battery pack and you ignored me :BigCry:

[dmdigital]

No I didn't, you must have forgotten. You even replied - http://www.aulro.com/afvb/camera-corner/69955-ok-dilema-speed-light-2.html#post880322

[dullbird]

I didn't see that battery bit..........

great so I have brought these with the flash https://www.camerasdirect.com.au/index.php/batteries/battery-chargers/sanyo-eneloop-4-x-aa-recharger.html this was the most expensive of the two options I had

but its only 2000 mha it will still work? I'm assuming it just wont cycle as quick for the flash or prehaps last as long and I only have 4 so I guess I have to go back and get another 4 or maybe even 8

[dmdigital]

I didn't see that battery bit..........
:oops2:

[dullbird]

So you recon they will still work ok?.or have I just waisted 60bux that I really couldn't afford to waist

[matbor]

the 5th battery is only really needed IMO if you are doing "full power" flashes and need a high re-cycle time, in the end it comes down to personal preference and what you are shooting i think.

you can get 2700mha batteries now

[dmdigital]

So you recon they will still work ok?.or have I just waisted 60bux that I really couldn't afford to waist

They'll be fine.

[dullbird]

It arrived on my door step this morning!!

wooo hooooo i'm so excited have also just brough another 2 packets of batteries.... so I can have 5 in and 5 on the quick 2hr charger:)

[dmdigital]

So does it look like this?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/01/1257.jpg

:D

[dullbird]

So does it look like this?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/01/1257.jpg

:D

I hope so!!!:D

[dullbird]

wow i got my batteries from hong kong as it was about 20bux cheaper than buying in Oz.......I'm getting more and more impressed when I buy products from there.

from the date of sale to the date of delivery 5 days......I was expecting closer to 10/14